Veneer advice needed please

[sorue]

I bought some veneer sheets from my local stockist on two separate occasions (due to change in plans). But the second time i bought it, the grain turned out to be different. I don't have enough of either type to do up two cabinets completely, so it's gotta be a mix of the two. So i would love your opinion on which grain works better for the front and sides.




The other trouble i have is with veneering of the round overs. Because my veneer sheets are 2x8, i can't use a single piece to wrap completely around the front and both sides. So i'm thinking of going with separate veneer pieces for the front and sides.

What i'm most concerned about is how obvious will the seam between the front and 2 sides' edges be? I did a dry mock-up and the seam doesn't seem too vulgar, but i'll never know until i try it.. at which point it'll be too late. Is there anything else i can do to make the seam blend in better?

While doing the mock up, i bended the veneer around the round over and heard some splitting. Didn't sound too good. I examined the veneer and there doesn't seem to be any damage, hmmmm. On the bright side though, the veneer seems to take the round over pretty well, despite it being only 1/2".

I'm thinking of going with iron on, but i only have titebond 3. Is it really necessary and helpful to go with heatlock instead?

[fastbike1]

Straight grain on the front, castle grain on the sides.

[Carrick1973]

I agree with fastbike1 on the grain usage, but I would put a 1/4 inch black band between the two veneers all the way around the speaker to deliniate the baffle. This will also make it look like you intended for the grain patterns to be different.

Just my two cents of course...

[danklugherz]

I agree with fastbike1 on the grain usage, but I would put a 1/4 inch black band between the two veneers all the way around the speaker to deliniate the baffle. This will also make it look like you intended for the grain patterns to be different.

Just my two cents of course...

That was my thought as well. Maybe a 1/4" darker wood strip glued to the cabinet, like walnut or cherry.

[fastbike1]

This is a great idea.
An easy way to do this would be to run a 1/4" x 1/4" rabbet down the front edge of the sides. Paint this area black. It will add some nice detail and eliminate the issue of a consistent seam between the front and sides.

I agree with fastbike1 on the grain usage, but I would put a 1/4 inch black band between the two veneers all the way around the speaker to deliniate the baffle. This will also make it look like you intended for the grain patterns to be different.

Just my two cents of course...

[s7horton]

Plain slice versus rotary cut. Just a different way of manufacturing each type of veneer. It appears that it is either oak or ash??? They are both brittle (especially ash) which would explain the cracking around the radius. When I have used the iron on method, I used titebond products exclusively. As long as your veneer is backed, you will be fine.